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Home » Minerals

Mineral Uses, Properties, Descriptions


Popular Mineral Items

Mineral Information
 Anhydrite
 Apatite
 Arsenopyrite
 Augite
 Azurite

 Barite
 Bauxite
 Beryl
 Biotite
 Bornite

 Calcite
 Cassiterite
 Chalcocite
 Chalcopyrite
 Chlorite
 Chromite
 Chrysoberyl
 Cinnabar
 Copper
 Cordierite
 Corundum
 Cuprite

 Diamond
 Diopside
 Dolomite

 Enstatite
 Epidote

 Fluorite

 Galena
 Garnet
 Glauconite
 Gold
 Graphite
 Gypsum

 Halite
 Hematite
 Hornblende

 Ilmenite

 Jadeite

 Kyanite

 Limonite
 Magnesite
 Magnetite
 Marcasite
 Molybdenite
 Monazite
 Muscovite

 Nepheline

 Olivine
 Orthoclase

 Plagioclase
 Prehnite
 Pyrite
 Pyrophyllite
 Pyrrhotite

 Quartz

 Rhodochrosite
 Rhodonite
 Rutile

 Serpentine
 Siderite
 Sillimanite
 Silver
 Sodalite
 Sphalerite
 Spinel
 Spodumene
 Staurolite
 Sulfur
 Sylvite

 Talc
 Titanite
 Topaz
 Tourmaline
 Turquoise

 Uraninite

 Witherite
 Wollastonite

 Zircon
 Zoisite
Uses of Gold
Gold
The Many Uses of Gold: Learn how the unique properties of gold make it extremely suited for a large number of industrial uses.
US Gemstones
Gemstones from the U.S.
US Gemstones: What states produce the most gems?
Calcite
Calcite
Calcite: Found throughout the world in all rock types.
Kyanite
Kyanite
Uses of Kyanite: Kyanite is a metamorphic mineral that most often forms from the high pressure alteration of clay-rich sedimentary rocks.
Uses of Granite
Uses of granite
Uses of Granite: The rock used for kitchen counter tops to street curbing.
Rock Tumblers
rock tumblers
Rock Tumblers: Step-by-step guide to tumble-polishing rocks into gemstones. And an article: How to select a tumbler.
Rock Tumbling
rock tumbling instructions
Rock Tumbler Instructions: A set of step-by-step tumbling instructions.
Corundum
Corundum
Uses of Corundum: Corundum is a very interesting mineral. It is an exceptionally hard aluminum oxide that forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Guatemala Jade
Fault motion
Tectonic History In Jade: Dates of metamorphism and fault motion locked in jade.
If it is not grown, it is mined.



 
Diamond: The Mineral
Diamond mineral
Diamond: Learn about the properties of diamonds and their many uses. Diamonds are much more than jewelry!
What Is Jade?
jade
What Is Jade? Learn about the uses of jade. It has been used to make ornaments and tools for thousands of years..
Diamonds from Coal?
Diamond formation
Diamonds from Coal? They form under several conditions that rarely involve coal.
Canadian Diamonds
Canada diamond mines
Canada Diamond Mines: The third largest producer of gem-quality diamonds in the world.
Mineral Chart
Mineral identification chart
Mineral Identification Chart: Printable mineral ID chart by Art Crossman in MS Excel format.
Mineral Kits
Mineral Kit
Mineral Kits: Here are three different kits to help you learn how to identify minerals and mineral properties.
Quartz
Quartz
Uses of Quartz: The most abundant mineral found at Earth's surface and its unique properties make it one of the most useful natural substances.
Rare Earth Elements
Rare Earth Elements
REEs: Special metals used in cell phones, DVDs, batteries, magnets & many other products.
Amazing Agate Photos
Agate photos
Beautiful Photos of Agates: A gallery of spectacular agate photos and descriptions prepared by Professor Richard Weston.
Herkimer "Diamonds"
Herkimer Diamonds
Herkimer "Diamonds": These doubly-terminated quartz crystals have been given the popular name "Herkimer Diamonds."
Ametrine
Ametrine
Ametrine The Bicolor Amethyst: Ametrine is the name used when a single crystal of quartz has zones of gemstone quality amethyst (purple) and gemstone quality citrine (golden) in contact with one another.
Oil is found first in the mind.

Newest Mineral Items

The Acid Test
Acid test
The Acid Test: Geologists use dilute hydrochloric acid to identify carbonate minerals.
Fluorescent Minerals
fluorescent minerals
Fluorescent Minerals glow with spectacular colors under ultraviolet light.
Spodumene
spodumene
Spodumene is a pegmatite mineral, an ore of lithium and sometimes a gemstone.
What Are Minerals?
what are minerals?
Minerals: are the building blocks of our society. We use items made with them every day.
Uses of Silver
uses of silver
Uses of Silver: Most people think of jewelry and coins, but silver's primary use is industrial.
Abandoned Mines
abandoned mines
Abandoned Mine: accidents take 20 to 30 lives per year. Many can be prevented with education.
Is Water a Mineral?
Is water a mineral?
Is Water a Mineral? Comparing the properties of water with the definition of a mineral.
Iron for Ocean Life
Hydrothermal Vents: exhale tiny pyrite particles that are important sources of iron for ocean life.
Limestone
limestone
Limestone: A versatile rock used in cement, food, paint, paper, drugs, concrete & more!
Synthetic Diamonds
synthetic diamonds
Synthetic Diamonds: Large, nearly-flawless diamonds are now possible with chemical vapor deposition.
Diamond Inclusions
Diamond inclusions
Platinum Inclusions In Diamonds: Clues to platinum group metal mineralization.
Topaz
Topaz
Uses of Topaz: Topaz uses and properties information. Topaz is a silicate mineral most often found in igneous rocks of felsic composition.
Tucson Mineral Show
Tucson gem and mineral show
Tucson Gem & Mineral Show: Photos of things that we saw.
The present is the key to the past.
 
Triboluminescence
triboluminescence
Triboluminescence is flash produced when a mineral is rubbed, scratched or broken.
Hardness Testing
Mohs hardness scale
Mohs Hardness Scale is a set of reference minerals used for classroom hardness testing.
Metals
Metals: uses, properties and descriptions
Metals: are used to manufacture a variety of products that people see every day.
Talc
uses of talc
Talc: is used to manufacture a variety of products that people see every day.
Olivine Rain
olivine rain
Olivine Rain: Spitzer Telescope discovered a rain of olivine crystals on protostar HOPS-68.
Uses of Lead
Uses of Lead
Uses of Lead: The soft metal that has been used by humans for more than 5000 years.
Forensic Geology
forensic geology
Forensic Geology: "My students come to class thinking that dirt is dirt and sand is sand...".
Gold
gold
Gold: An important metal for thousands of years - uses, prospecting, mining, production.
Gold Prospecting
Gold prospecting
Gold Prospecting in the US: The history, geography and geology of gold prospecting by USGS.
Uses of Copper
Uses of copper
Copper: One of the first metals widely used by people and now used in almost every industry.
Fireworks & Minerals
Fireworks science
The Science of Fireworks: Learn how fireworks bursts of different shapes and colors are produced through chemistry, physics and art.
Diamond Producers
diamond production
Where are Diamonds Mined? Diamonds are produced by many different countries. Learn which ones are the leaders now.
Denver Mineral Show
Denver gem and mineral show
Denver Gem and Mineral Show: Photo report by Geoffrey Notkin.
Geology underlies it all.

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